Single channel PICOSEC Micromegas detector with improved time resolution

TL;DR

This paper details the design, construction, and testing of a single-channel PICOSEC Micromegas detector with enhanced timing resolution, achieving a record 12.5 ps in beam tests, and introduces design improvements for stability and quick reassembly.

Contribution

It presents a novel single-channel PICOSEC Micromegas detector with improved time resolution and a simplified reassembly process, validated through laboratory and beam tests.

Findings

Achieved a record time resolution of 12.5 ps with a 10 mm pad detector.

Demonstrated stable operation and quick reassembly of the detector.

Validated performance improvements through beam testing with MIPs.

Abstract

This paper presents design guidelines and experimental verification of a single-channel PICOSEC Micromegas (MM) detector with an improved time resolution. The design encompasses the detector board, vessel, auxiliary mechanical parts, and electrical connectivity for high voltage (HV) and signals, focusing on improving stability, reducing noise, and ensuring signal integrity to optimize timing performance. A notable feature is the simple and fast reassembly procedure, facilitating quick replacement of detector internal components that allows for an efficient measurement strategy involving different detector components. The paper also examines the influence of parasitics on the output signal integrity. To validate the design, a prototype assembly and three interchangeable detector boards with varying readout pad diameters were manufactured. The detectors were initially tested in the laboratory environment. Finally, the timing performance of detectors with different pad sizes was verified using a Minimum Ionizing Particle (MIP) beam test. Notably, a record time resolution for a PICOSEC Micromegas detector technology with a CsI photocathode of 12.5$\pm$0.8 ps was achieved with a 10 mm diameter readout pad size detector.